Alessia woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside her window. She stretched, feeling a sense of stiffness in her body. She had barely slept the night before, her mind racing with thoughts of her new husband and the life that lay ahead.
As she sat up in bed, Alessia caught sight of Drake lying beside her. He was still asleep, his chest rising and falling with each breath. Alessia felt a pang of guilt as she looked at him. She knew she didn't love him, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was trapped in a marriage she didn't want.
She threw off the covers and got out of bed, trying not to disturb Drake. She walked over to the window and pulled back the curtains, letting the sunlight flood into the room.
As she looked out the window, Alessia felt a sense of longing wash over her. She wanted to be free, to be able to make her own choices and live her own life. But she knew that wasn't possible, not now that she was married to Drake.
Alessia sighed and turned away from the window. She walked over to the dresser and began to brush her hair, trying to shake off the feeling of restlessness that had settled over her.
As she brushed her hair, Alessia caught sight of herself in the mirror. She looked pale and tired, her eyes sunken from lack of sleep. She sighed and put down the brush, feeling a sense of despair wash over her.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Come in," Alessia called out, expecting it to be one of the servants.
But to her surprise, it was Draven who entered the room. He was dressed in a pair of black trousers and a white shirt, his hair mussed from sleep. He looked handsome and rugged, and Alessia felt a flutter in her chest as she looked at him.
"Good morning," Draven said, his eyes locked on hers. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."
Alessia shook her head, feeling a sense of awkwardness wash over her. "No, not at all," she said, trying to sound casual. "I was just getting ready for the day."
Draven nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "I see," he said. "Well, I won't keep you. I just wanted to congratulate you on your wedding day."
Alessia smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Draven. "Thank you," she said. "That means a lot coming from you."
Draven smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I mean it," he said. "You deserve all the happiness in the world, Alessia."
Alessia felt a pang of sadness as she looked at Draven. She knew she couldn't have him, not now that she was married to his brother. But she couldn't help the way she felt, and she knew that her feelings for Draven would only continue to grow stronger with time.
Just then, Drake stirred in bed, waking up from his sleep. "Good morning," he said, his voice gruff from sleep.
Alessia turned to him, forcing a smile onto her face. "Good morning," she said. "Did you sleep well?"
Drake nodded, throwing off the covers and getting out of bed. "I did," he said. "Thanks for asking."
Alessia watched as Drake began to get dressed, feeling a sense of awkwardness wash over her. She knew she had to get used to living with him, but it was hard to shake the feeling that she was trapped in a marriage she didn't want.
As Drake finished getting dressed, he turned to Alessia and smiled. "Shall we go down to breakfast?" he asked.
Alessia nodded, feeling a sense of resignation wash over her. She knew she had to play the role of happy bride, at least for the time being.
As they made their way down to the dining hall, Alessia couldn't help but feel like she was living a lie. She was married to a man she didn't love, and she was expected to play the role of happy bride.
But as she looked over at Draven, who was sitting at the head of the table, Alessia felt a sense of hope. She knew she couldn't have him, not now that she was married to his brother. But she couldn't help the way she felt, and she knew that her feelings for Draven would only continue to grow stronger with time.
As they sat down to eat, Alessia felt a sense of tension in the air. She knew that she had to be careful, that she couldn't let her feelings for Draven show.
But as she looked over at him, she couldn't help but feel a sense of longing. She wanted to be with him, to feel his arms around her and his lips on hers.
But she knew that it was morally impossible and even wrong to think that way.
As they sat down to eat, Alessia couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The dining hall was filled with vampires, their eyes gleaming in the dim light. She had never been comfortable around them, and now, as the wife of a vampire prince, she was expected to tolerate their presence.
Drake, seeming to sense her unease, reached out and took her hand. "Don't worry, my dear," he said, his voice low and soothing. "You will grow accustomed to our ways in time."
But before Alessia could respond, Draven spoke up, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, I'm sure she will," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "After all, she's a strong and brave human, aren't you, Alessia?"
Alessia felt a surge of fear at Draven's words, but she tried to keep her composure. "I'm trying to be," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Draven laughed, the sound sending shivers down Alessia's spine. "Oh, how quaint," he said. "You think you can survive in our world, little human? You think you can keep up with the likes of us?"
Alessia felt a surge of anger at Draven's words, but she knew better than to respond. Instead, she kept her eyes fixed on her plate, trying to ignore the vampire prince's jibes.
But as the meal wore on, Alessia couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She glanced up to see Draven's eyes fixed on her, his gaze burning with an inner intensity.
She felt a shiver run down her spine as their eyes met, and she quickly looked away, trying to compose herself.
But as the meal drew to a close, Alessia couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She was trapped in a world of vampires, with no escape in sight. And Draven, with his sinister grin and arrogant demeanor, seemed to be waiting for her to make a mistake.
As they finished their meal and the vampires began to disperse, Alessia felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was exhausted, both physically and emotionally, and she couldn't wait to retreat to the safety of her chambers.
But as she stood up to leave, Draven's voice stopped her. "Alessia," he said, his voice low and menacing. "I almost forgot. You're invited to a little gathering tonight, in the castle's great hall."
Alessia felt a surge of fear at Draven's words, but she tried to keep her composure. "What kind of gathering?" she asked, trying to sound calm.
Draven smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, just a little something we vampires like to call a 'blood feast,'" he said. "You'll love it, I promise."
Alessia felt a wave of horror wash over her at Draven's words, but she knew she had to keep her composure. She couldn't let Draven see how scared she was.
So she smiled, trying to look brave. "I'm looking forward to it," she said, trying to sound convincing.
Draven laughed, the sound sending shivers down Alessia's spine. "I knew you'd be excited," he said. "After all, you're one of us now."
Alessia felt a surge of fear at Draven's words, but she tried to keep her composure. She knew she had to be careful, that she couldn't let Draven see how scared she was.
So she smiled, trying to look brave. "Yes," she said. "I'm one of you now."
Draven's eyes seemed to gleam with amusement at her words, and Alessia felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew she was in grave danger, that she had to be careful if she wanted to survive in this world of vampires.
But as she turned to leave, Alessia couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She glanced back to see Draven's eyes fixed on her, his gaze burning with an inner intensity.
And in that moment, Alessia knew she was doomed.
Drake's eyes narrowed as he watched his brother's exchange with Alessia. He could see the fear in her eyes, and he knew that Draven was deliberately trying to intimidate her.
"Draven, that's enough," Drake said, his voice firm but controlled. "Alessia is my wife now, and she will be treated with respect."
Draven's smile never wavered, but his eyes flashed with anger. "Oh, I'm sorry, brother," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I didn't realize that you had become so... protective of your little human wife."
Drake's face darkened with anger, but he kept his temper in check. "Alessia, don't mind my brother," he said, turning to her. "He's just trying to get a rise out of you."
Alessia's eyes were still wide with fear, but she nodded slightly as Drake took her hand. "It's okay," he said, his voice soft and reassuring. "I won't let anyone hurt you."
Draven's eyes flashed with anger again, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned and stalked out of the room, leaving Drake and Alessia alone.
Alessia let out a shaky breath as Drake led her out of the dining hall. "I'm sorry about my brother," he said, his voice low and apologetic. "He can be... difficult at times."
Alessia nodded, still feeling a little shaken. "It's okay," she said. "I can handle it."
Drake's eyes searched hers, and for a moment, Alessia thought she saw a flicker of concern there. But then his expression smoothed out, and he smiled. "I know you can," he said. "You're a strong and brave woman, Alessia."
Alessia felt a surge of gratitude towards Drake, and she smiled back at him. "Thank you," she said. "That means a lot coming from you."
Drake's smile faltered for a moment, and Alessia thought she saw a glimmer of something else there. Something that looked almost like... longing.
But then his expression smoothed out again, and he nodded. "I'm just glad I can protect you from my brother's... antics," he said.
Alessia nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew that she still had a lot to learn about the vampire world, but with Drake by her side, she felt like she could face anything.
As they walked back to their chambers, Alessia couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards her husband. He was trying to protect her, to keep her safe from the dangers of the vampire world.
And as she looked up at him, she saw something in his eyes that gave her hope. Something that looked almost like... love.
But as they reached their chambers and Drake pushed open the door, Alessia's heart sank. Draven was standing in the center of the room, his eyes fixed on her with an unnerving intensity.
"Welcome back, Alessia," he said, his voice low and menacing. "I see you're getting along famously with my brother."
Alessia felt a surge of fear at Draven's words, and she took a step back, trying to get away from him. But Drake was there, his arm wrapping around her waist and holding her close.
"Draven, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice firm and commanding.
Draven's smile never wavered, but his eyes flashed with anger. "I just wanted to welcome Alessia to the family," he said. "In my own special way."
Alessia felt a shiver run down her spine as Draven's eyes locked onto hers. She knew that she was in grave danger, that Draven would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
And as she looked up at Drake, she knew that she had to rely on him to keep her safe. But as she saw the look of determination on his face, she couldn't help but wonder... would it be enough?